In June 1840, North Carolinians celebrated the completion of a new State Capitol with a festival and feast in downtown Raleigh. On Saturday, June 13, North Carolinians can celebrate again as the historic State Capitol commemorates its 175th anniversary with a free daytime festival and a ticketed evening barbecue fundraiser that honors this historic milestone.

The free daytime celebration begins at 11 a.m. and runs until 4 p.m., featuring family-friendly festivities both inside the state historic site and outside on Capitol Square. Activities will include performances by local musicians, military re-enactors, local historic site demonstrations, arts and crafts vendors, a trackless train ride for children, hands-on children's activities and, of course, birthday cake!

The evening ticketed fundraiser, "Barbecue & Bluegrass Birthday Bash," from 5-8 p.m. is sponsored by the non-profit State Capitol Foundation. The event offers bluegrass music by Ash Breeze and the Bethesda Bluegrass Band, barbecue plates (including slaw, potatoes, green beans, banana pudding and tea) served by Carolina Barbecue of Garner; Mystery Brewing Company of Hillsborough will provide beverages.

Evening meal tickets are $25 for adults ($20 for current State Capitol Foundation members) and $10 for children's plates. To purchase tickets in advance, please visit http://ncstatecapitol.org/capitol175 or call 919-733-4994. Tickets will also be sold at the door. Proceeds support the education, restoration and preservation programs at the Capitol. Signature sponsors for the celebration include Carolina Barbecue of Garner, Mystery Brewing Company of Hillsborough and Cirque de Vol.

"This celebration was inspired by the original dedication in 1840 but with a modern sense, so it promises to be a can't-miss event," said Terra Schramm, State Capitol Site Administrator. "The daytime festivities and evening concert will launch a year of special programs and exhibits at the State Capitol that aim to capture public interest and inspire a new generation to participate in the history that continues to be made here every day."

Highlighting the daytime festival will be a formal cornerstone re-dedication ceremony at noon, led by N.C. Department of Cultural Resources Secretary Susan Kluttz and Deputy Secretary Dr. Kevin Cherry. It will feature the Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons of North Carolina, and the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of North Carolina.

The day also serves as the official opening for the Capitol's 175th anniversary museum exhibition "Capitol Connections: 175 Years of People, Places and Politics." Exhibit curator Kara Deadmon will give a free exhibit lecture at 2:30 p.m. inside the Capitol's House Chamber. Joining her will be Paul Hardin Kapp, co-author of the new book The Architecture of William Nichols: Building the Antebellum South in North Carolina, Alabama, and Mississippi.

The State Capitol's mission is to preserve and interpret the history, architecture and functions of the 1840 building and Union Square. The State Capitol is at One Edenton Street, Raleigh, and is part of the Division of State Historic Sites in the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources. Visit www.nchistoricsites.org/capitol or call (919) 733-4994 for more information.

About the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources

The N.C. Department of Cultural Resources (NCDCR) is the state agency with a vision to be the leader in using the state's cultural resources to build the social, cultural, educational and economic future of North Carolina. Led by Secretary Susan Kluttz, NCDCR's mission is improve our state's quality of life by creating opportunities that promote economic development, stimulate learning, preserve the state's history and spark creativity to experience excellence in the arts, history and libraries in North Carolina. NCDCR was the first state organization in the nation to include all agencies for arts and culture under one umbrella.

Through arts efforts led by the N.C. Arts Council, the N.C. Symphony and the N.C. Museum of Art, NCDCR offers the opportunity for enriching arts education for young and old alike and spurring the economic stimulus engine for our state's communities. NCDCR's Divisions of State Archives, Historical Resources, State Historic Sites and State History Museums preserve, document and interpret North Carolina's rich cultural heritage to offer experiences of learning and reflection. NCDCR's State Library of North Carolina is the principal library of state government and builds the capacity of all libraries in our state to develop and to offer access to educational resources through traditional and online collections including genealogy and resources for people who are blind and have physical disabilities.

NCDCR annually serves more than 19 million people through its 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, the nation's first state-supported Symphony Orchestra, the State Library, the N.C. Arts Council and the State Archives. NCDCR champions our state's creative industry that accounts for more than 300,000 jobs and generates nearly $18.5 billion in revenues. For more information, please call (919) 807-7300 or visit www.ncdcr.gov.